Design & development of a compact, low power, high resolution UWB sub-surface scanner for space applications

We describe a low power, high resolution ultra-wideband radar using impulse type signaling for remote and extraterrestrial geophysical investigation of surfaces via range and reflectivity characteristics. The instrument combines a Pico-pulse generator based transmitter, receiver and antenna in one compact package, operates in L/S band thereby achieving an operational frequency range of 1-5GHz. The transmitter consists of a 250mA impulse drive unit and 1-2V 200-500ps Pico-pulse generator. The system utilizes a microstrip-fed Vivaldi antenna with up to 7.6dB gain and S11 <; -10dB over the entire operational frequency band. The design minimizes component count, dimensional footprint, and is easy to fabricate making it especially suitable to the limited payloads of space applications.